Business
Learning to systematize your practice isn’t that hard, and so it helps to hear how other lawyers are tackling this important aspect of running their businesses. Jeff Lewis is quite thoughtful and incisive because he just spent time focusing on developing systems in Ernie’s new course on systems building. Jeff Lewis is co-host of the California Appellate Law Podcast. The Power of A System, John Fisher’s book TextExpander;, amazing keyboard macro tool Wisetime;, time tracking app Jeff mentioned that syncs with Clio; Tiago Forte, online productivity coach The P.A.R.A. organizational method taught by Tiago Forte Notion;, the organizational tool that Jeff is now captivated by Zapier;, the online automation connection tool for cloud-based services (here is a link to Ernie’s developing list of Zapier automations for lawyers) Apply for my Systems Course (there is no guarantee you’ll be admitted to the next cohort, but I will prioritize applications based on when they were received) Download out my Basic Guide to Working Smarter if you want to learn how to make technology work for you, not against you. Check out my Law Firm Autopilot program if you want a step-by-step guide to leveraging technology to improve your practice. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai; is a superior virtual receptionist service for small businesses. They specialize in working with solo and small law firms. Smith.ai; offers friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish, screen and schedule new leads, and even take payment for consults. And they do this 7 days a week 24 hours a day! And they don’t just handle conversations by phone — they also have 24/7 live agents and chatbots capturing leads on websites and via text message (even Facebook Messenger). If there’s one growth hack for your practice, this is it. Smith’s friendly gatekeepers can staff your front lines while you work uninterrupted. You can finally have the peace of mind that while you’re working, knowing that you’re not missing out on future work. Plans start at just $140 a month for calls or chats. They even offer a totally free chatbot, so there’s no excuse! Try Smith.ai today and see for yourself why attorneys like Justie Nicol in Colorado say Smith.ai; receptionists are the “secret to business growth and client happiness.” Smith.ai; offers a free trial, and podcast listeners get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up and learn more at www.smith.ai;. Trust me when I say, “Don’t let another day go by!” Try Smith.ai; . AND… Tracers; Gathering information is important for lawyers, especially lawyers who do litigation. As you no doubt know, law doesn’t win cases, facts do, and often one or two key facts can make or break a case. Key facts are tied to witnesses who sometimes are elusive. Key facts can involve things about your client that they conveniently “forget” to tell you. And for sure key facts are incriminating things about the opposing party. Key facts can be in social media or any number of public databases. So how do you find the key facts quickly and easily? Well, you can find them but not usually quickly and easily. Even the publicly available information is strewn about in lots of different public records or online locations that you can’t find using one Google search. So stop trying to use Google and don’t waste time, energy, or money. Use Tracers; instead. That’s how you can get cost-effective access to asset records, social media posts, and detailed background information on anyone of interest to you or your client. The cost is based on a “pay per search” pricing with a $39 monthly minimum. The searches aren’t super expensive so you might only spend $39 per month and be able to do a few searches. But however much you use it you can expense the cost to your client matter because it’s an essential service. I recommend that every lawyer at least sign up , learn what it can do, and get used to having an amazing resource at your fingertips. If you use the promo code Ernie100 the first $100 of your search will be free. * EPISODE CREDITS: If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com